A switch-hitting catcher who was the Dodgers’ opening day shortstop in 1945, Sandlock is one of the few living athletes who played professional baseball before and during World War II. Only two living former major leaguers — Ace Parker, 100, a Philadelphia Athletics infielder in 1937 and 1938; and Connie Marrero, 101, a Cuban junk-ball pitcher for the Washington Senators from 1950 to 1954 — are older.
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Sandlock played in an era before multimillion dollar salaries, when baseball players were “heroes but regular guys,” said John Thorn, Major League Baseball’s official historian. Many players used public transportation, held off-season jobs and fought in America’s wars. Teams traveled by train and journeyed no farther west than Chicago or St. Louis, where the major league map ended.
My favorite tidbit, though, is this line:
Sandlock said the modern game irks him. “Bunt, hit and run — they don’t do that anymore!” he said with a groan. “Everything is the long ball.”Sandlock added, “I mean, a guy on first and second, jeez, bunt that guy to third. Get that one run if you can!”
(via @TylerKepner)